Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1887-10-14
ELECTION, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 9Th.
THE PROPOSED NEW OONSTTTU.

TON.
We are glad TO know that our editorial
Of the Both Of September attracts attention
and discussion. Too much light cannot be
thrown upon subject Of such vital i'm
portance as a change in the Constitution of
the State,
We assert again, shat all the direct tax t,
except that for the support of the public
schools, is levied to pay the interest on the
public debt and we would state further,
and without fear Of supported contradiction,
that the salaries oil all the officers Of the
State, the expenditures of the Legislature,
Legislative appropriations, the expenses Of
the fishery force, oyster navy, and in fact all
current expenses of the State" are paid out
of funds arising from other sources Of reve-
nue..
For the year ending September Both, 1885,
according to the annual report of the Comp
troller of the Treasury, the total revenue of
the State was 1894 ,s7S77. or this sum
there was derived from direct taration $780,
870.94, leaving $1,02S, 40783 as the income
from licenses, dividends on stock, interest
on mortgages held by the State, &C.
AS TO the expenses Of Convention, we
hope we made ourselves sufficiently plain
in our former article, and we do not think
we are far wrong in our estimate of the uti
mate cost to the people of the State when
all the expenditures incident to the Conven-
ton are summed up. We have never said,
nor do we now contend, that all the cost
would come out Of the State treasury, but
whether from the local or general till, tie
result Is tho same to tho people.
We reiterate our fear that the ex-
pensc of the State government would
be largely increased under new Consti.
tuition. We believe that increased salaries
have been the inevitable result of such
movements, and there is no reason To- sup
pose that Maryland would be an exception
TO the rule. 1t is the tendency of the times,
and community suffering from short crops
and poor prices, upon whom the hand Of the
government is already laid with no light
weight, would do well to consider deeply be-
fore they incur the risk Of heavier burdens.
We do not believe that there are many
rejecting minds in the State that have
reached the conclusion, or entertain the idea
for moment, that Convention would re.
adopt the Constitution Of 1851 and adjourn.
Ii there are, then they have read the signs
of the times 10 little purpose.
We still contend that IL a change of the
judiciary is deemed desirable-abollsh the
present Court of Appeals, (which has work
Cd so industriously and efficiently as To dis.
pose of every case on It's docket at each
term before it adjourns" and substitute an
other Court Of Appeals with higher sala-
ries--it can be done by an amendment.
The taxpayers will then have an opportu.
nifty TO say whether they are willing 10 pay
each Of the Judges of an "independent"
Court Of Appeals 5000 or $4,000, or even
$4,000, and that too in the face Of the pres
ent able Judges who have not, as yet, com.
planned of their salaries. And SO If 1t is de-
sired to return TO the one Judge system II
can be done by amendment, and the tax
payers will have an opportunity Of saying
whether or not they will retain the present
system or have an increased number Of
Judicial Circuits with one Judge and at a
salary of $4,000, 5000 or $4,000. The cost
Of amendments are comparatively small
while no man can tell how many hundred
thousand dollars a new Constitution may
cost-we are not among that number who
believe in resorting to revolution TO secure
a remedy for any grievance, or supposed
grievance, under which the State may be
suifering--nur are we in favor of a change
for the mere sake Of gratifying "a vague and
undcilned line of change"-we can see moth
ing in il but present embarrassment and
future evil Many Of the reforms which are
now demanded, we believe, are not required
by sound regard for the public welfare,
and that even in relation TO those as 10 the
necessity and expectancy Of which there
might he less difference Of opinion, the best,
safest and most economical mode for their
accomplishment is in the manner provided
for in the Constitution.
The consideration OF this question leads
us 10 another matter no less weighty and
important than those which we have al
ready laid before our readers. If the people
at the November election determine in favor
Of calling a Constitutional Convention, in
III probability we shall have an election for
delegates TO that convention early in the
spring. Then will follow desperate hand
o-hand fight between the parties in the State,
md who can say with any degree Of GER
aInty which party will have the ascendency.
Disguise the fact as we may, It Is still APP |